Humanitarism to Human Rights

This workshop will discuss key historical events that led to the emergence of humanitarianism and human rights as major ideological movements in the modern world.  In addition to a history of ideas, we will explore important moments – such as the abolition of slavery, episodes of colonial brutality, and the Cold War – when humanitarian ideals came under scrutiny. We will also examine shifting narratives and media strategies that missionaries, activists, governments, non-governmental organizations, and other “humanitarians” have employed to draw global attention to crises and abuses.